Workers Independent News Podcast

Workers Independent News (WIN) gathers news by and about working people and creates programs and feature stories for radio stations throughout the United States. WIN's mission is to bring balance to radio news coverage by providing stations with news and features focusing on issues and topics important to all working people.

Why is the CWA Bigger than New Hampshire?

The Communications Workers of America is polling its members to guide their decision as to whom to endorse for President.

Why is the CWA bigger than New Hampshire? Why is it bigger than New Hampshire and Iowa combined?

Approximately 100,000 people participated in the Iowa caucuses in 2004, along with 217,965 on the Democratic side of the New Hampshire primary. The total number of participants in both states is about half of the eligible participants in the CWA poll, and the CWA members are more diverse than the populations of both states combined.

Years ago, the primary election process meant that candidates had to go out and talk to people. Even in the age of TV, candidates for President had to spend time in Iowa and New Hampshire meeting and talking with real people.

Now, increasingly, these events are staged, scripted and sterile. TV spin and manipulation cloud the issues and it is hard for individuals to discern reality from myth.

The CWA has decided to do something about the deterioration of the democratic process in the US, by expanding the process within their own organization. Maybe it will be a guide for others.Many unions hold campaign forums - the CWA combined the forum with action. In August, CWA President, Larry Cohen, questioned six Democratic candidates about their positions on jobs, employee free choice, and health care for all. The CWA followed up and asked all candidates - Democrat and Republican - for their views, which are posted on the CWA web site.

Then CWA announced a union-wide political poll of their members. Members can go to cwavotes.org and cast their vote for president. The site will be open until November 9.Now it is up to the members; about 700,000 current members and retirees have an opportunity to vote their choice.

Why is the CWA bigger than New Hampshire? Why is it bigger than New Hampshire and Iowa combined?

Approximately 100,000 people participated in the Iowa caucuses in 2004, along with 217,965 on the Democratic side of the New Hampshire primary. The total number of participants in both states is about half of the eligible participants in the CWA poll, and the CWA members are more diverse than the populations of both states combined.

That is why the CWA is bigger than New Hampshire and its poll may be more significant.